The state Appellate Division reduced Hector Campos' $17 million award to $500,000, ruling that since the now-retired cop shot him in anger and not as part of his job, the city can't be held liable for his actions.

The shooting left Campos, 35, a paraplegic.

Officer Ricardo Cobeo claimed that he shot Campos in Yonkers on March 29, 2005, after the man grabbed him around the neck from behind, stuck a hard object in his back, and demanded money.

Cobeo said he handed the man his wallet and $15 but was then shoved to the ground. He said he got up, pulled out his revolver and yelled, "Stop! Police!" before opening fire.

Later, when he frisked the wounded Campos as he lay on the ground, Cobeo found a folded knife in his pocket, the cop claimed.

Campos' version of what happened was dramatically different. He said he approached Cobeo from behind because he thought he was a friend who owed him money. He said he patted him on the shoulder and said, "Yo, Sachi, where my money at?"

When Cobeo turned around, Campos said, he realized it wasn't his friend, so he apologized and walked away - only to hear Cobeo yelling at him.

So he glanced back over his shoulder. That's when he heard a gunshot and fell, he said.

He added that Cobeo walked over, again pointed the gun at him, and told him that he "deserved to die."

Riiiiiiiight. I'm sure the guy had no prior record - the article just forgets to mention that part. Also what a fucked up sense of math this writer has - he didn't LOSE 16.5 million - he was gifted $500k for being a scumbag.